UBA names 20 essay competition finalists

The United Bank for Africa Foundation has shortlisted 20 students for the final stage of its 2026 National Essay Competition, with the top five set to share N41m in educational grants and prizes.

According to a statement made available to Sunday PUNCH, the finalists emerged from more than 12,000 entries submitted by senior secondary school students across the country.

Under the prize structure, the overall winner will receive a N15m university grant, representing a 50 per cent increase from the N10m awarded to the winner in 2025.

The second- and third-place winners will receive N10m and N7.5m respectively to support their university education at any institution of their choice in Africa.

“In a further expansion of the reward structure, the foundation has introduced grants for the fourth- and fifth-place winners for the first time. They will receive N5m and N3.5m respectively.

“The 20 finalists, selected by accredited judges, represent schools in Katsina, Kano, Abuja, Lagos, Ibadan, Awka, Port Harcourt, Imo, and Akwa Ibom states.

“They will proceed to the final round of supervised essay writing at UBA House in Lagos, where the eventual winners will be determined,” the statement read.

The finalists include Abioye Shalom Damilola of The Sprouters Schools, Katsina; Adedoye Roseline Aderonke of Molusi College; Alabi Fawwaz Ayoade of Heritage Global Academy, Ikorodu, Lagos; Ayomide Jeremiah Dada of Softnet Technology Academy; Anyanwu Uchenna Olivia of Coral Impacts International School, Abuja; and Azuoma Dominica Ugonna of Oxford Secondary School, Ulakwo.

Others are Bala Khaira Ojima of Metro International School; Ebunoluwa Louis Oluwanifemi of Igando Community Senior High School; Ezeani Uchenwanne Theresa of Kuje Senior Secondary School; and Gabriel Queenesther Iniobong of Redemption Academy.

“The UBA Foundation, the corporate social responsibility arm of United Bank for Africa Plc, organises the annual competition to promote reading, critical thinking, and intellectual development among secondary school students,” the statement added.